Oral care for intubated patients in the intensive care unit: examination of bacterial count and microbiota.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) after tracheal intubation is a major infectious complication in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), with an incidence of 8-28%. Oral care in the ICU is essential; however, the presence of an intubation tube and restricted mouth opening cause complications. A healthy commensal microflora in the oral cavity resists colonization by respiratory pathogens, and poor oral hygiene may increase the risk for VAP.

Synergistic Effects of Short- and Long-Chain Fructans: A Novel Strategy for Mitigating Ovalbumin Allergy via Microbiome-Driven Acetate Production.

The gut microbiota has been implicated in the modulation of food allergies. Building on previous studies on the preventive effects of combining short-chain fructan 1-kestose (Kes) and long-chain fructan inulin (Inu) in food allergies, we investigated their therapeutic effects in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy mouse model. Following OVA sensitization, the mice received 5% Kes and Inu, either individually or a combined 2.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of salvage photodynamic therapy with talaporfin sodium for lesions beyond those indicated for investigator-initiated clinical trials.

Objectives: Since the efficacy of salvage photodynamic therapy (PDT) for locally recurrent esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) was proven for the first time in an investigator-initiated clinical trial, various reports have supported the clinical utility of PDT for these lesions. However, the clinical trial had limited indications, including a luminal circumference of ≤1/2, maximum longitudinal lesion length of 3 cm, and no invasion into the cervical esophagus, and there have been few reports of treatment outcomes for lesions exceeding the indications used in the investigator-initiated clinical trial. Therefore, this study was performed to assess the outcomes of treating lesions exceeding the above indications.

Association between Microbiome Dysbiosis and Postoperative Disorders before and after Gastrectomy.

Introduction: Gastrectomy considerably affects the gut microbiome; however, the association between dysbiosis and post-gastrectomy syndrome remains to be explored. This study prospectively explored fecal gut microbiota alterations following gastrectomy, investigating their potential association with weight loss.

Methods: The gut microbiome of 21 patients with gastric cancer scheduled for gastrectomy in April-October 2022 was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene next-generation sequencing.

Guidelines for endoscopic management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (second edition).

The Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society has prepared Guidelines for Endoscopic Practice in Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding as part of the initiative to develop evidence-based endoscopic practice guidelines. Hemorrhagic gastroduodenal (peptic) ulcers are the primary cause of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. With the advent of a super-aged society, the cases caused by Helicobacter pylori are on the decline, whereas those caused by drugs (e.

Administration of 1-kestose to beluga reduces intestinal Turicibacter and collagenase gene levels, and blood creatinine levels.

In recent years, an increased emphasis on enhancing the care and health management of captive marine mammals has been observed. Belugas (White Whale, Delphinapterus leucas), belonging to the family Monodontidae, are of considerable importance and often the centerpiece of aquarium collections worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the administration of prebiotics on the gut microbiota and overall health of the beluga.

Characteristics and Prognosis of Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab Combination Therapy Who Achieved Complete Response.

Aim: To investigate the characteristics and prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atz/Bev) who achieved a complete response (CR) according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST).

Methods: A total of 120 patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) 0 or 1 and Child-Pugh A at the start of Atz/Bev treatment were included. Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C was recorded in 59 patients.

Alterations in the gut microbiota in patients with long-term follow-up after pancreaticoduodenectomy and their association with postoperative fatty liver: A pilot study.

Background/purpose: Gut microbiota status after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is unclear, and postoperative fatty liver is an important complication after PD. This study evaluated the relationship between postoperative fatty liver and gut microbiota after PD.

Methods: Fecal samples were collected from patients who had undergone PD and remained stable after 6 months of follow-up.

Efficacy of 1-Kestose Supplementation in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Less than half of all patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) respond to chemotherapy, and the prognosis of PDAC is poor, which may be mediated by the gut microbiota. We investigated the clinical improvement effects of 1-kestose, a fructooligosaccharide, on PDAC chemotherapy in this single-center, randomized, controlled pilot trial conducted at Fujita Health University Hospital, which enrolled patients with PDAC. The trial included 1-kestose administration and non-administration groups.

Altered intestinal and 5α-reductase gene levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and elevated in atezolizumab/bevacizumab non-responders.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Monitoring of HCC and predicting its immunotherapy responses are challenging. This study explored the potential of the gut microbiome for HCC monitoring and predicting HCC immunotherapy responses.

Early Changes in Alpha-Fetoprotein and Des-γ-Carboxy Prothrombin Are Useful Predictors of Antitumor Response to Durvalumab Plus Tremelimumab Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The relationship between antitumor response and tumor marker changes was evaluated in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with durvalumab plus tremelimumab (Dur/Tre). Forty patients were enrolled in this retrospective evaluation of treatment outcomes. According to the Response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumors version 1.

Clinical, Pathological and Endoscopic Features of Neoplastic or Non-neoplastic Reddish Depressed Lesions after Helicobacter pylori Eradication.

Background And Aims: Early gastric cancers (EGCs) after Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication often appear as reddish depressed lesions (RDLs); the same features are also appeared in benign stomachs after eradication. We compared clinic-pathological and endoscopic features of benign and neoplastic RDLs after H.

Levels of 5α-reductase gene in intestinal lavage fluid decrease with progression of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths, closely linked to the intestinal microbiota and bile acid metabolism. Secondary bile acids, like deoxycholic and lithocholic acid, are associated with increased CRC risk due to their disruption of vital cellular functions. In contrast, isoallolithocholic acid (isoalloLCA) shows potential health benefits, highlighting the complex role of bile acids in CRC.

Co-administration of the prebiotic 1-kestose and the paraprobiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum FM8 in magellanic penguins promotes the activity of intestinal Lactobacillaceae and reduces the plc gene levels encoding Clostridium perfringens toxin.

Despite the well-known potential health benefits of prebiotics and non-viable probiotics (paraprobiotics) in various animal species, research regarding their use in penguins is scarce. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of a combined administration of prebiotics and paraprobiotics (referred to here as "parasynbiotics") on the gut microbiome and overall health of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). The parasynbiotics consisted of 1-kestose, which is a fructooligosaccharide comprising sucrose and fructose, and heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum FM8, isolated from pickled vegetables.

A stag beetle knife can achieve stabler and safer endoscopic submucosal dissection in the esophagus.

Esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has a higher complication rate than gastric ESD. Scissor-type devices, including the stag beetle (SB) knife, are reportedly safer and have shorter procedure times than tip devices. To clarify the characteristics of the SB knife, we compared the treatment outcomes of esophageal ESD with a tip-type knife to those with an SB knife combination.

Helicobacter pylori infection associated DNA methylation in primary gastric cancer significantly correlates with specific molecular and clinicopathological features.

Helicobacter pylori induces DNA methylation in gastric mucosa, which links to gastric cancer (GC) risk. In contrast, CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) is defined as high levels of cancer-specific methylation and provides distinct molecular and clinicopathological features of GC. The association between those two types of methylation in GC remains unclear.

Clinical Outcomes With Lenvatinib in Patients Previously Treated With Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/aim: The combination of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atz/Bev) has become widely used as a first-line therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, for post-Atz/Bev therapy, evidence on the outcomes of molecular targeted agents, such as lenvatinib, is limited. The present study aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness of lenvatinib on advanced HCC in patients who had previously undergone Atz/Bev treatment.

Combined oral intake of short and long fructans alters the gut microbiota in food allergy model mice and contributes to food allergy prevention.

Background: It has become clear that the intestinal microbiota plays a role in food allergies. The objective of this study was to assess the food allergy-preventive effects of combined intake of a short fructan (1-kestose [Kes]) and a long fructan (inulin ([Inu]) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy mouse model.

Results: Oral administration of fructans lowered the allergenic symptom score and alleviated the decreases in rectal temperature and total IgA levels and increases in OVA-specific IgE and IgA levels induced by high-dose OVA challenge, and in particular, combined intake of Kes and Inu significantly suppressed the changes in all these parameters.

Risk factors for rebleeding in gastroduodenal ulcers.

Background: Rebleeding after hemostasis of the gastroduodenal ulcer (GDU) is one of the indicators associated with death among GDU patients. However, there are few studies on risk score that contribute to rebleeding after endoscopic hemostasis of bleeding peptic ulcers.

Aims: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with rebleeding, including patient factors, after endoscopic hemostasis of bleeding gastroduodenal ulcers and to stratify the risk of rebleeding.

Clinical Outcomes of Cabozantinib in Patients Previously Treated with Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Importance of Good Liver Function and Good Performance Status.

(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate clinical outcomes for cabozantinib in clinical practice in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) previously treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atz/Bev), with a focus on whether patients met criteria of Child-Pugh Class A and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS) score 0/1 at baseline. (2) Methods: Eleven patients (57.9%) met the criteria of both Child-Pugh class A and ECOG-PS score 0/1 (CP-A+PS-0/1 group) and eight patients (42.

Endoscopic features of lymphoid follicles in the colonic mucosa using the image enhanced endoscopy and its association with colorectal adenoma.

Background/aim: Lymphoid follicles hyperplasia (LH) is sometimes observed in the normal colon as small, round, yellowish-white nodules. LH is associated with food hypersensitivity and bowel symptoms and histologically characterized as intense infiltration of lymphocytes or plasmacytes. It is suggested that LH represents inflammatory immune response in the colonic mucosa.